Ukraine introduces criminal liability for “drops”: up to six years in prison and fines of up to 170 thousand hryvnias

On October 28, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in its entirety Bill No. 16013, which provides for increased liability for illegal transactions with bank cards, accounts and electronic wallets. Participation in fraudulent schemes using so-called “drops” will be punishable by up to six years in prison or a fine of up to 170 thousand hryvnias.

Forbes Ukraine reports. 270 MPs voted for the relevant decision.

What will change for bank card holders

The bill adopted by the parliament, initiated by the President of Ukraine, provides for the criminalization of the illegal transfer, acquisition and storage of payment instruments, bank accounts and access data to them, if such actions are carried out with the aim of using them in fraudulent schemes.

This primarily concerns the so-called “drops” – persons who transfer their own bank cards or accounts to third parties to conduct financial transactions.

According to the Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi, such accounts are used by criminals to move and hide illegally obtained funds.

In particular, money obtained as a result of the activities of fraudulent call centers and other illegal financial transactions can pass through “drop” networks.

What fines and punishments are provided for

The draft law No. 16013 establishes different types of liability depending on the nature and severity of the offense.

In particular, it provides for:

A fine of from 5,100 to 17,000 hryvnias for the illegal transfer of one’s own bank card.
Up to four years of imprisonment for the purchase or sale of other people’s payment instruments.
Up to six years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 170,000 hryvnias for repeated commission of an offense or actions as part of an organized group.

At the same time, liability is not provided for any transfer of a card to another person, but for actions that meet the signs of an offense defined by law.

Who will be able to avoid criminal liability

The document provides for the possibility of exemption from liability for persons who have committed a relevant offense for the first time.

To do this, it is necessary to voluntarily notify law enforcement agencies about illegal actions and contribute to the disclosure of the crime.

Such a mechanism should encourage participants in fraudulent schemes to cooperate with the investigation and help expose the organizers of illegal financial transactions.

What other changes does the law provide for

The draft law also expands the scope of Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In particular, liability will apply to illegal transactions with payment orders and means of access to electronic wallets.

The seizure of such instruments by fraud or abuse of trust will be a separate criminal offense.

In addition, the grounds for applying criminal law measures to legal entities are being expanded.

The adopted changes are also aimed at implementing the European Union Directive 2019/713, which provides for combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment.

Why Ukraine is stepping up the fight against “drops”

The problem of using bank accounts of fictitious persons has been in the focus of attention of the National Bank of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada since at least 2024.

According to the NBU, participants in such schemes often open accounts simultaneously in several banks, after which they transfer access to them to third parties for a fee.

Previously, the regulator reported that owners of such accounts can receive from 800 to 4,000 hryvnias per week.

To combat illegal financial transactions, the National Bank has already introduced restrictions on card transfers, strengthened financial monitoring, and initiated the creation of a special register of “drops.”

In June 2026, the NBU also fined payment services EasyPay and City24 UAH 135 million each for violations.